(Roll for Initiative)

Quote from RobertHReaper >>

(Roll for Initiative)

 //  Perrin's Initiative 20 //

Initiative: 15

Initiative: 17

Initiative: 21

(That should be 19 I added the wrong modifier)

Hey gang,

I am going to bow out of this campaign, it just isn’t moving along fast enough for my taste. Been trying for a several days to stay interested, but at a certain point you just have to call it. Good luck to everyone, I apologize to everyone for not sticking it out.

(It was a pleasure Crissair, I'm sorry I couldn't keep a steady enough pace for this thread, life kept getting in the way.  I have missed the last two days for updating due to work, had to close Friday, then open Saturday.  Will be back on schedule tonight; but I guess that is too little too late.

A lot of the delays came from not being as prepared for this adventure as I thought I was; and so I had to do a lot of work building sections that I didn't realize I needed.  I would like to continue, as long as the players want to, though I'd understand if you feel like calling it a mulligan and ending the adventure.)

// I'm okay staying in if you are continuing, my only suggestion, perhaps not worry too much about tracking all the NPCs as they've essentially become mini PCs. Focus actions in game on just how the PCs are interacting with the environment and perhaps just narrate the results of the NPC activity after the fact if keeping them around is pertinent to the story. And I don't mean essential NPCs like the guide who hired us, but I can imagine that running an encounter with 4 or 5 PCs just as many or more NPCs and enemy creatures to boot - that seems daunting. TL;DR - don't overextend yourself, focus the lens down to something manageable, fill the outside with just some color.  //

(Yeah, I already cut half the NPCs due to it being to many to deal with.  One shots are still very new to me; sorry for the learning pains.)

A terrifying roar engulfs the area as a large black dragon enters the clearing.  At the same time a mass of overgrowth encloses the terrain between you and the wagons; as another wave of lizardfolk begin to exit the woods, circling the wagons.

Your allies near you (excluding PCs) are Aoth Anskuld, Sikhil Dartharathi (the guide), Geth Stormwind, Zeltaebar Mristar, and Balama Falone.  Aoth hurries towards some bush and vanishes, Sikhil readies to fight, with Geth and Zeltaebar at his sides.  Balama decks Hank for ordering the execution of the prisoners; before readying for the fight as well.  (Sorry Hank, that was part of the Initiative roll.  If you see this, no offense meant.)

Perrin, oblivious to all else that is not a black dragon, says, "I think we bit off more than we can chew. Maybe we should lead this dragon's friends alone."

(What actions would you like to do?)

"Majestic dragon - you honor us with your presence. To what do we owe this honor?" Perrin asks. 

Arldane wonders at the sensibility of the making conversation with a dragon when standing in the middle of a field of slain lizards... He stands warily to the side and watches the interaction with a cautious eye.

Perception: 12

The dragon slows and calls out towards Perrin.  "Finally a creature that knows how to speak to one of my kind.  Though these walking lizards speak my language, they know not the respect I deserve."

He arcs his back, spreads and flaps his wings, then raising his head to look down on the group further. "Now, beyond praising me; what do you have to offer for me to spare your lives." The black dragon says in its deep booming voice.

Arldane, you notice that the dragon is debating on killing you; but definitely looks interested in killing something.

Perrin looks at the others, imploring for some help. 

I feel that I should let you all know that I'm not feeling this adventure; I've changed it up several times already, having stepped too far out of my comfort zone.  I tried to do something big and impressive out the gate; when I've barely even run one shots before.

I don't want to just drop you all though; so I am willing to run a campaign for you, either themed off this original adventure (without me running away from working on it due to being overwhelmed), something completely custom (currently running two campaigns customed to the players desired adventures), or a mix of the two (same premise, but with tweaks from you).

It is hard walking away from a project, but if it doesn't feel right to you, it won't feel right to the players.  I'm going to invite Crissar as well, ask him to give me another chance.  It makes me feel like I've failed as a DM to have a player that wants to play, leave disappointed.

I'll link the new campaign to this thread when everything is decided; if you wish to continue playing.  I hope to build something better for you.

Thanks Robert, I appreciate your honesty on how you are now feeling. I haven't been as invested in this as some other campaigns, but give me a shout for your future plans and I will see if that aligns. 

Don't feel that you have let us down. The DM has the hardest job, and the players very much ride your coat tails. You had somewhat set our expectations early on that you wanted to test an idea out, and hopefully that test has given you some useful lessons learned. As a player, it has been my pleasure to help in that, and see how another DM approaches problems which I am sure they all have at some point. PbP is a flexible medium, and we won't be any worse off for the participation.

Cheers

I concur with Polar's statements. Definitely not a failure - we all knew going into this would be a learning experience. I'll be happy to join up any other campaign that you want to try out. Until then, good luck!